More lists! This OpenEars 2017 Year End coverage comes from John McNicholas Photography, who has been shooting rad shows with OE since 2015. John McNicholas is a singer, songwriter, musician, photographer, app creator, and writer based in Atlanta, GA. You can catch him performing with The Sunset District, Supervisor of the Loveless Average, The Good Graces, Spiller, and as John McNicholas (And probably too many more to list). When John isn’t playing, you can catch him at show behind the camera or just out supporting his favorite musicians. (Check out John’s work: http://johnmcnicholasphotography.com)
Hey there, Open Ears readers!
2017 is a complete blur to me. It feels like I hardly saw any shows and yet I saw almost 200 bands this year. Craziness. I promise to do better and shoot more shows next year.
Here’s a few of my favorite pics and memories from the last year!
1) Faye Webster at Criminal Records
I was shooting the Black Lips later that night at the Variety Playhouse but I got down to Little 5 points early to catch Faye Webster playing a short set of songs at Criminal Records off her self-titled release on Awful Records. Engaging and mesmerizing from start to finish.
2) TnT, Subsonics, Black Lips at Variety Playhouse
OE main man Mike and I huddled front and center for most of the show (until the beer started flying) and muttered more than once “What is happening right now?” during the TnT set and bailed a few songs into the Black Lips as we got drenched with beer.
TnT
3) Athens Popfest
Popfest was a marathon of a festival spread over 4 days in downtown Athens, GA. featuring some of the best pop bands from all over the US. Highlights included Lingua Franca, Superchunk, Waxahatchee, and COEDS. I’m still tired.
4) Shaky Beats
In it’s second year, Shaky Beats is Atlanta’s premier EDM festival from the folks that bring you Shaky Knees every year. It’s an insane gathering of bands, DJs, music makers and fans and a complete blast from start to finish.
5) John K Samson & Craig Finn at City Winery
Two of the best writers in the business teamed up for an amazing night of stories and music. It was a special treat to have John K Samson down from Canada, joining Craig Finn.
6) Waxahatchee (twice)
So good I had to catch them twice. The first time, Waxahatchee had a quick opening set ahead of the New Pornorgaphers but at the Athens Popfest they really dug in and blew the crowd away.
7) Jay Som, Stef Chura, Soccer Mommy at Masquerade
Jay Som put out what is arguably the best record this year in Everybody Works. In what was a killer night of music, Soccer Mommy was stunning and Stef Chura‘s yelp and guitar work was amazing.
8) Luna and Eleanor Friedberger at Terminal West
After a long break, Luna put out 2 great records this year (A Sentimental Education & A Place of Greater Safety) and followed it up with a tour of the US with Eleanor Friedberger. Leaning heavily on songs from the new records and deep cuts from the past, this was one of the best shows I saw all year and the crowd was loving every second.
9) Sera Cahoone at City Winery
Dead simple songs aimed straight at the heart. Sera Cahoone‘s set was so damn powerful I went home and wrote 2 new songs. Oh, yeah, I write songs and take pictures.
10) In the Whale at Masquerade
Sometimes all you need is a 2-piece punk band from Denver to make everything right in the world. In the Whale took the energy of the room and pushed it through the roof. Maybe my favorite set of the entire year.
11) Bully at Terminal West
18 songs in 50 minutes. Pure energy, light and heat that had the crowd going nuts. Bully at Terminal West.
12) The Skipeerdees at The Avondale Town Cinema
Comprised of twin sisters, Catherine and Emily Backus, the sisters put on a show that could only be called transcendent with soaring vocal harmonies backed by simple folk arrangements, acoustic guitars and banjos. The Skipeerdees were breathtaking.
13) Alvvays and Nap Eyes at Terminal West
Alvvays’ recorded work is expansive and beautiful but live they’re on another level with incredible dynamics, soaring vocals and a huge wash of guitars. Be prepared to dance for 90 minutes straight. Photo pro tip: get there when doors open if you want to be anywhere near the front of the stage. I got there early and the venue was almost at capacity 10 minutes after doors opened.
14) Courtney Marie Andrews at Terminal West
My friends Keith and Suzy from Tampa talked me into going to this one. Courtney Marie Andrews’ latest record was a favorite of theirs and I had heard great things from her show at Grocery On Home last year. Bringing alive the folk-rock sounds of southern California, think Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Browne, Courtney’s voice and songs were a powerhouse to behold live.
15) Tommy Keene and Matthew Sweet at City Winery
Tommy Keene opened the show and seemed to have as many fans in the audience as Matthew Sweet. Sadly, Tommy passed away a few weeks ago. I consider myself lucky to have had a chance to hang out with him at this show this night (we had a mutual friend) and found him to be genuinely down-to-earth and great guy. I will miss having the chance to see him play again.
